1999 Maison Leroy Meursault 1er Cru Charmes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er CruLithe aromas of melon, flint, and lemons. The palate was a bit gummy at first, but with some air and patience it fleshed out a bit and featured beautiful stone fruit, minerals, lemons and limes. (91 pts.)

2004 Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese - Germany, NaheGiven to our table double-blind, it was an easy Donnhoff call. I thought it was an 2004 Oberhauser Brucke, but Adrian nailed the Norheimer Kirschheck - kudos for him for nailing this double blind just by the aromas. This is a really fun wine with beautiful tropical fruits on both the body and the nose. Drinking in a great place right now. (92 pts.)

2006 Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er CruVery citrus-driven with lots of lovely tidewater, lemons, truffle and lime notes. This is certainly young, but the precision it had was very enjoyable. Whereas the 2002 we had alongside it was a bit rounder, this was precise and delicious. (91 pts.)

2008 Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Perrières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er CruA shot of sulphur greeted me on the nose, with some nice lemon and spice. This has a powerful palate with tons of energy and balance. Another great chardonnay from Henri Boillot. (90 pts.)

2001 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Montrachet - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand CruThis was big and powerful while remaining elegant and balanced. The nose was just gorgeous...aromas of salt water, lemons, limes, and melons were pungent and dense. This had some wiffs of sulphur too...but those blew off with time in the glass. This had some serious depth with layer after layer of lemons, flint, limes, white floral notes, and smoke. A beast. (95 pts.)

2010 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese - Germany, NaheAn amazing wine, and the first perfect score I've ever given. The aromas here were staggering. Intense, precise flavors of apricot, peach, stone fruit and truffle. As the air hit the wine, the aromas became spicier at times, then more sappy at others. The palate is all about its freshness. No question the density of fruit is there...and damn are those peach, mango, and stone fruit flavors gorgeous, but they're precise....almost chiseled out of stone. Great acidity on the finish, too. Thanks to Adrian for bringing along this monumental wine. (100 pts.)

1985 Gentaz-Dervieux Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Réservée Côte Brune - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-RôtieFor my tastes, it's hard to imagine a better bottle of syrah. The aromas of tapenade, meats, and kirsch were hauntingly expressive. Layer after layer of earthy red fruits, beautiful salty olive notes, and a nice iodine kick made this an easy 100pts on the nose. This is what Northern Rhone syrah lovers dream about. The palate was incredibly elegant, lithe, and very well balanced. I thought there were a couple slight sour notes creeping around the edges, but this was really stunning. Great balance, depth, and elegance. Benchmark syrah. (98 pts.)

1988 Camille Loye Trousseau Arbois Cuvée Saint Paul - France, Jura, ArboisVery tart nose of cranberry, roses, and sour cherry. This had an interestingly nutty aroma too - no doubt related to the slight oxidation here. While the aromas were a touch harsh, the palate was all class. Beautiful red fruits - pomegranate really leading the way - with some dried floral notes and tons of earth. A fine example of Jura trousseau, glad to see it holding up so well. (92 pts.)

2003 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er CruAromas of spice, dark fruits, and earth on the nose was more refined and precise than I would have thought given the vintage. Its palate had that warm spice note from the nose with a surprisingly lithe fruit profile. Some of us were rather surprised that the vintage characteristics oweren't more at play here. (89 pts.)

1989 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er CruI only managed a small taste of this, but really loved what I got to try. Beautifully integrated floral, earth, and cranberry notes washed together quite nicely. This also had a really enjoyable pomegranate note to it that gave it a bit of an edge. (92 pts.)

Did you buy and taste these wines at the auction? That is very impressive indeed considering the HDH auction bid prices are insane. After swinging and missing multiple times with top of range bids I've given up on the idea of ever getting anything from HDH.

Sam

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are a small matter compared to what lies within us" -Emerson

Did you buy and taste these wines at the auction? That is very impressive indeed considering the HDH auction bid prices are insane. After swinging and missing multiple times with top of range bids I've given up on the idea of ever getting anything from HDH.

I split a small lot with a friend, but I was there more to hang out than to bid.